St Patrick's Athletic finished the year on a high note when defeating struggling Longford at Inchicore last night.

Longford, who announced Martin Lawlor as their new manager yesterday, were always second best, although they nearly grabbed a late equaliser in injury time when Alan Kirby was up-ended inside the penalty area, but play was waved on.

St Patrick's dominated, with two good chances falling to Robbie McGuinness. The first came midway through the first half when he shot over after Longford had only half-cleared a cross from Trevor Croly. Then on 34 minutes he headed wide following a cross from Martin Russell.

But the home side finally broke the deadlock six minutes before the interval when Charles Mbabazi seized on a defensive error by Wesley Byrne and directed his shot into the bottom corner.

Michael Holt added St Patrick's second on 49 minutes with a clever lob, before Longford were handed a lifeline when Keith O'Connor converted Eric Levine's cross at the far post.

Mbabazi restored St Patrick's cushion on 74 minutes before Reynolds scored in injury time for Longford with a well-struck shot from the edge of the box.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Gallagher, Croly, Foley, Maguire, Burke; McGuinness, Mannion, Osam, Russell; Mbabazi, Holt. Subs: Marney for McGuinness (77 mins); Griffin for Mannion (77); Doyle for Russell (85).

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien, O'Halloran, S Byrne, McNally, W Byrne; Kirby, Perth, Reynolds, Prunty; O'Connor, Levine. Subs: Zellor for O'Connor (80); Holt for Perth (82).

Referee: Jim O'Neill (Waterford)